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Update on Aborted ISS Spacewalk

Posted by michael on from the breathholding-apparently-unnecessary dept.

Carnildo writes "Reuters is reporting that the cause of the aborted spacewalk was a stuck switch that gave a false reading of a leak."

3 of 12 comments (clear)

  1. spacewalk history? by acceber · · Score: 4, Interesting
    The result was the shortest spacewalk in U.S. history.

    That raises the question as to what actually classifies a spacewalk. So they step outside for a minute or two, complete no extra-vehicular activity (EVA) whatsoever, but it's all good because they made space history?

    I guess technically, strictly speaking, it is a spacewalk but doesn't the definition of "spacewalk" include having to actually perform a task, in this case replacing a transistorised switch that had disabled one of four large gyroscopes?

  2. What the hell? by ColaMan · · Score: 2, Interesting

    A stuck switch?
    The "vent-suit-atmosphere" switch perhaps?
    What kind of half-assed situation is this?
    They don't have enough telemetry to determine if a switch (or circuit) is on or off at a given point in time?

    Seriously though, if a "stuck switch" can give an (apparently false) indication of imminent loss of air, there's something seriously whacked in their suit design.

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  3. Re:Complete definition... by snake_dad · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It says "There have not been any EVA's during flights to and from the Moon, or orbiting the Moon.", but I seem to remember reading about an EVA to inspect some part of the Command Module on a return flight from the Moon, and even a movie taken during that EVA. Anyone with better memory than mine?

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